Piano action



Oct. 28, 1941.

J. A. GOULD PIANO ACTION Filed March 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z6 c/QWZS Q bzz/a J. A. GOULD PIANO ACTION Oct. 28, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1940 II V Patented Oct. 28, 1941 PIANO ACTION James A. Gould, Ivoryton, Conn, assignor to Pratt, Read & Company, Ivoryton, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application March 23, 1940, Serial No. 325,597

13 Claims.

This invention relates in general to piano actions and in particular to an improved action for a low upright piano in which the keyboard is at the usual height.

In drop-type actions of the prior art for low upright pianos, the abstracts are normally pivotally connected to the whip and extend upwardly from the whip past the various action elements such as the back-check, and bridle strap wire, so that it is difficult to get into these elements of the actions to adjust them, either prior to their installations in a piano case, or subsequent to such installation. The abstracts are also clumsy to handle throughout the final manufacturing steps in the assembly of the action, and are clumsy and bulky to handle and pack for shipping. This same difiiculty applies when unpacking and getting the action ready for assembly into the piano case. Also, in working on the key frame, the abstracts, when disconnected from their respective keys, are normally not sufficiently removed from the keys to provide for a suitable working space about the keys during assembly or service work on the key frame. These conditions affect the cost of manufacturing and assemblying the action and the remaining portions of the piano, and also affect the labor and material costs for packing and shipping. Furthermore, with the present fixed pivotal connection between a whip and abstract it is costly to replace an abstract during the life of an action.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved drop-type action for low upright pianos.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple, low-cost drop-type action which reduces manufacturing, shipping, installation, and servicing cost in comparison to such action structure of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved action for a low upright piano in which the abstract and whip are of such a construction that they may be snapped together either before or after the assembly of the action in a piano and retained in a releasable pivotal connection.

Still another object is the provision of a rest rail for the abstracts which is pivotally connected to a part of the piano action in a position normally-below the lowest point at which the abstracts drop during operation of the piano action and which is operable to lift all of the abstracts out of engagement with their corresponding keys and completely away from such keys to facilitate assembly and service work of the key frame.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide a piano action for a low upright piano in which the capstan screw and abstract head are s'eparably connected and of such a construction that they may be readily disconnected by a lifting of the abstract by a rest rail for the abstract.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a piano action for a low upright piano in which the abstract and whip are pivotally connected in a releasable frictional engagement and relatively constructed so that the abstract will stand in line with its corresponding key when it is disconnected therefrom, to facilitate handlin and service of the complete action.

A feature of my invention is the provision of an abstract which is readily disconnectible from its corresponding whip and key so that the abstracts may be handled and shipped independently of the remainder of the action and then readily connected to the whip and key when assembling the complete piano.

It is 'a further feature of my invention to provide a rest rail for the abstracts which is operable to move all of the abstracts out of engagement with their respective keys and which is assembled to the piano action so as to be included therewith for shipment as a single unit.

Another feature of the invention is the utilization of the disconnectible construction of the abstract to facilitate servicing and repair of the piano action when an abstract must be replaced.

Further objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a piano action.

Fig. 2 is a detailed end View of the whip in Fig. 1 showing the fixed pivot pin for pivotal engagement with the abstract.

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevation of the abstract pivot or flange member in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of the abstract pivot member in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a modification of the whip and abstract flange members in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detailed plan View of the abstract pivot member shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of a modified form of the piano action of Fig. 1 showing the abstract in operative connection with the piano key.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the abstract disconnected and completely removed from the piano key.

Fig. 9 is a detailed side elevation of the abstract pivot or flange member in Figs. '7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a detailed plan view of the abstract pivot member in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detailed sectional view of the abtract head in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 12 is a detailed plan view of the abstract head member shown in Fig. 11 and,

Fig. 13 is a detailed showing of the capstan screw in Figs. 7 and 8.

The action employed in practicing this invention is primarily intended for use with a low upright piano and is secured to a mounting bracket which may be supported in a suitable manner in the piano. The action includes an abstract having a head member adapted for separable connection with a corresponding key, a substantially L-shaped pivot member pivotally secured to a whip for such action, and a connecting rod formed of wire or wood extending from the head member and secured in a cavity in one of the legs of the L-shaped pivot member. The playing movement of a key on the piano lifts the abstract at the head to in turn lift the whip, and this actuates a hammer to strike the usual string for the piano.

Substantially only the moving parts of the action have been illustrated and it is understood that any suitable mounting bracket may be employed to mount the action in a piano. With reference to Fig. 1 the action is shown as supported principally on a rail [3 to which is secured a fiange ll pivotally supporting a whip [2 which in turn pivotally supports a jack or fiy [3. The jack is in engagement in the usual manner with the hammer l4 at the butt l5 for such hammer and as the whip i2 is raised this motion is transmitted through the jack to pivot the hammer into striking engagement with the corresponding piano string. A back-check l5, and bridle-strap wire l5 are both supported on the whip.

A common way to work on actions to initially adjust them is to set the action on a bench or the like and with the proper tools bend the abstract wire, or the back-check wire, or make any other of the necessary adjustments to the numerous elements of the action. In this position the complete action is separated from the keyboard and since the abstracts of the prior art are assembled normally as part of the whip and hammer assembly, they are apt to fall forward toward the adjustor unless a holding or rest rail is provided across the width of the action to hold up the abstracts. This difficulty normally results in a, loss of time in handling the action away from the piano assembly, and the working through the abstracts for adjustment of the remaining action assembly. Inasmuch as one of the most important advantages of a low-upright piano is its low cost, assembly and manufacturing costs must be maintained at a minimum without involving any sacrifice in the eflicient and satisfactory operation of the action. Assembly savings have been obtained in the present invention by the provision of a rest rail which is pivotally fixed to a part of the piano action and operates to lift the abstract completely away from its corresponding key, and a pivot member or flange which is permanently fixed to the abstract wire or rod and is constructed for a snap pivotal connection with the whip so as to be releasably and frictionally engaged therewith.

The abstract designated generally as H includes a button-like head structure It! with a felt pad IQ for seating in a mating cavity 2|, the cavity being formed at the rear end of a. key 22. The head I8 is threadably secured to a lifter rod 23 which may be formed of wire. The rod 23 and head l8 are connected to the key 22 by raising the head sufiiciently to clear the top of the key and sliding the rod in the longitudinally extending key slot 24 until the head is positioned above the cavity. Since, during normal operation of the action, the head is not raised above the key, the abstract is thus operatively secured in the key 22. Arranged at the lower end of the lifter rod 23 is a pivot or flange member 26 which is of substantially L-shape, the upwardly extending leg portion being permanently secured to the lifter rod in any suitable manner and the other leg portion 2! being constructed for a pivotal frictional connection with the whip I2 by a snap action or engagement. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the leg portion 21 is formed with a longitudinal reduced fiat section 28 having an aperture 29 extending transversely therethrough, as shown. The aperture 29 is provided with a suitable bushing 3| to provide a silent ac tion in the pivotal connection between the member 28 and the whip I 2, as will be later described.

The section 28 is bifurcated at aperture 29 as by a slot or saw cut 32 to provide for a transverse springing or spreading apart of the bifurcations or fingers 30 and 35. The upper finger 30 near its inner end is formed with a slot 33 to safely permit of a greater transverse springing of such finger than is obtained by the slot 32 alone. The bifurcations 33 and 35 may be secured together by the screw 34 to provide for additional rigidity in the section 28, after its connection with the whip, and to possibly prevent any splitting off of the bifurcations during operation of the action.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 the depending portion 36 of the whip I2 is seen to be of U- shape, the groove or cavity 3'! between the leg members 33 being adapted to receive therein the fiat section 28 of the pivot member 23. Extending transversely of the whip and supported in the U-members is a pivot pin 39 which is of a size to frictionally pass between the bifurcations of the leg portion 21 for journaling in the aperture 29.

In the assembly of the pivot member 26 with the whip I2 the screw 34 when used, is withdrawn sufiiciently to permit the fingers 33 and 35 to spread slightly. The section 28 is then positioned within the groove 31 between the leg member 38 of the whip 12 with the pivot pin 39 aligned for passage in the slot 32; urging of the pin into the slot 32 resulting in a spreading apart of the fingers to permit travel of the pin into the aperture 29. When the pin is located in the aperture 29 the fingers snap or spring back to their initial positions to releasably maintain the pin within the aperture 29.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the whip and abstract pivot members are shown in a modified form, the pivot pin 39 being arranged in the section 28 of the pivot member 28 and the slots 32' and 33 being formed in the whip l2. It is understood of course that a screw 34 may be provided in the leg or side wall 33'. The method of assembly and operation is believed to be apparent from the above description of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. The rest rail M, which is located slightly below the lowest point at which members 26 and 26 drop during normal operation of the piano action acts to prevent the abstracts I! from falling forward when they are disconnected from the keys 22 and to effect a disengagement of the abstracts and the keys in a manner to be fully described in connection with Figs. '7 and 8.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there is shown a modified form of the piano action which is similar in some respects to the piano action in Fig. 1. Similar numerals of reference therefore shall be used to designate similar parts. The action is illustrated as supported on the rail I 0, to which is secured the flange H, which pivotally supports the whip 42, which in turn pivotally supports the jack 3. The jack l3, whip 42 and hammer 14 are operatively associated in a manner similar to that previously described with respect to Fig. 1.

The abstract, designated generally as 43, includes a head member 44 having a cavity at one end therein for engagement with a lifter rod 41 which may be provided in wire or wood. The forward extension 48 on the abstract head, as is seen best in Figs. 11 and 12, is formed with a substantially oval-shaped aperture 49 which extends vertically therethrough and is adapted for a relatively loose engagement with the extension of the capstan screw 52. A capstan screw (Fig. 13) is secured in the top and inner end of each key 22, The lift of the abstract 43 by the key 22' is determined by the shoulder 53 which is formed on the capstan 52 at the lower end of the extension 5|. Adjustment of the shoulder 53 to effect a desired movement of the abstract I3 is obtained in an obvious manner by varying the threaded engagement of the capstan screw 52 in the key 22. It is seen, therefore, that the abstract head 44 seats on the shoulder 53 and the latter determines the relation between the key and abstract in the usual manner, and hence the height to which the abstract 43 is lifted during normal operation of the piano action. Since the head member 44 is not raised above the screw extension 5| in normal playing, the abstract 43 is positively maintained in operative engagement with the key 22' at all times during playing movement of the piano action. Undesirable noise at the connection is eliminated by providing a felt seat 54 for the shoulder 53 at the lower end of the cavity 46 and a felt bushing 56 within the cavity 45 for the extension 5|.

Arranged at the lower end of the lifter rod 41 is a pivot or flange member 51 which is of substantially L-shape, the upwardly extending leg portion being fixedly secured to the lifter rod in any suitable manner and the other leg portion 58 being constructed for a pivotal releasable connection with the whip 42 by a snap action or engagement. With reference to Figs. 9 and 10 the leg portion 58 is seen to be formed with a longitudinal reduced fiat section 59 which has an aperture 6| extending transversely therethrough. The section 59 is split or bifurcated at the aperture 6| by a slantingly out slot 62 to provide for a transverse springing or spreadingapart of the bifurcations or fingers 63 and 64. The slot 62 is slantingly directed to form fingers of different size, the upper finger 63 being shown as smaller than the finger 64. The finger 63, therefore, will have a greater springing action than the finger 64, which is more rigid and adapted to support the lifting action imparted thereto by the lifter rod 41. The inner end of the section 59 is provided with a vertically extending groove 66 which further increases the spring action of the finger 63 to permit movement of the whip pin 61 through the slot 62 as will be now described.

The enlarged portion 68 of the whip 42 is of substantially U-shaped form transversely thereof so as to receive the section 59 of the pivot member 51, the pin 61 being supported in the legs of the U and extending transversely across the space therebetween. The pin 61 is of a size to frictionally pass between the fingers 63 and 64 for journaling in the aperture 6|. As previously mentioned, the finger 63, during passage of the pin 61 through the slot 62, will effect a greater springing than the finger 64. The finger 63, therefore, acts as a spring means to permit passage of the pin 61 through the slot 62 to the aperture El and to releasably maintain the pin 61 in the aperture 6 the finger 64 serving as a supporting means for the pin 61 during normal operation of the piano action. The aperture 6| is suitably bushed to provide for a silent action of the connection. The method of assembly and operation is readily apparent from the above description of Fig. 1.

In the piano actions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the sides of the flat sections 28 and 59, respectively, are in slidable and guiding engagement with the leg members of the U-shape depending whip portions 35 and 68, respectively, to maintain the abstracts I1 and 43 in vertical alignment with their corresponding keys 22 and 22', when they are not attached to such keys. As previously noted, the abstracts when disconnected from the keys, are prevented from falling forward by the rest rail 4|. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the rail 4| extends the length of the .piano action and is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket 69 although it is readily apparent that it may also be connected to the rail ID.

The rail thus forms a part of the action assembly and is readily inclined for shipment with the action, without making an unwieldy and bulk shipping unit.

During the normal operation of the piano action, the rail 4| occupies the position shown in Fig. '1; the abstract 43 being operatively connected with the key 22 and the rail 4| being located slightly below the lowest point at which the member 51 drops during the normal operation of the piano action. Upon an upward movement of the rail, as by a hand-operated cam (not shown) or a simple wire hook over a screw in the end of the piano case, to the position shown in Fig. 8, the abstracts are lifted upwardly into abutting engagement with the hammer rail 1|; the head member 44 being lifted off from the capstan screw extension 5| so as to disconnect the abstract from the key 22. This movement of the rest rail 4| not only disconnects the abstracts 43 from the keys 22' but also completely removes the abstracts from the immediate proximity of the keys, to provide adequate space for access to and ready manipulation of the keys during installation and service work on the key frame. Since all of the abstracts 43 are raised concurrently by the rest rail 4| it is readily apparent that a single key, a group of keys, or the whole key frame may be conveniently removed or installed. Since the abstract 43 when disconnected from the key 22' is held in vertical alignment with the key 22 by the snap connection between the pivot member 51 and the whip 42 and the guiding relation of the sidewalls of the longitudinal cavity in the whip and sides of the portion 59, the positioning of the capstan screw extension 5| in its corresponding cavity 46 in the abstract head member 44 is a matter of simple and convenient assembly.

In practice where the actions are shipped separately from the piano, the actions are delivered without the abstracts attached thereto, and either before or after the action is assembled in the piano the abstracts are snapped into releasable pivotal connection with the whips, in the manner above described. The abstracts are prevented from falling forward by the rest rail 4|, and may be manipulated up or down by the pivotal movement of the rail. Since the abstracts are already in vertical alignment with their respective keys, a lowering of the rest rail 4| will position the abstracts for simple and ready connection to their corresponding keys. After the piano action is installed, if it should be necessary to remove one or more abstracts for work on the action itself, the abstracts are simply removed by reaching down with a suitable tool and flipping or prying the abstract out of its frictional connection with the whip. It is thus seen that it is equally as easy to install the abstract with the front of the piano case off as it is when the action is first being assembled in the piano, since the operator has but to drop the abstract down with one hand and engage it with the whip from beneath the keyboard with the other hand. Accessibility to the key frame for a complete or partial removal thereof after installation of the piano action, is apparent from the above described operation of the rest rail 4!.

The invention is thus seen to provide a simple means for effecting a snapping together of the abstract and the whip in a releasable pivotal connection and a connecting of the abstract and key in a simple separable connection, so as to facilitate assembly and service of the piano action and key frame both before and after their installation in a piano, and to provide for a complete dismantling of an abstract from the piano action for shipping purposes.

It is to be understood that only preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, and that modifications and alterations thereof can be made which are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, the combination of a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a groove formed therein, a pivot pin extending across said groove and supported in the walls of said groove, means for connecting said key and whip member including an abstract having a pivot member secured to the lower end thereof, said pivot member having a bifurcated projection with an aperture formed between the bifurcations, said projection being adapted to fit within said groove with said pivot pin in seating engagement in said aperture, the bifurcations being adapted to spread apart during the passing of the pin therebetween to provide a pivotal snap connection between said abstract and whip member.

2. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, the combination of a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a groove formed therein extending in a direction from front to rear of said action, the side walls of said groove being bifurcated and having axially aligned apertures formed between the bifurcations, with said bifurcations extending in a direction from front to rear of said action, means for connecting said key and whip member including an abstract having a pivot member fixedly secured to the lower end thereof, said pivot member having a projection with a pivot pin extending transversely thereof, said projection being movable within said groove on movement of said pivot member rearwardly toward said action and in a substantially horizontal plane, with said pin passing between said bifurcations for seating in said apertures, the bifurcations in said groove side walls springing apart during the passing of the pin therebetween to provide a pivotal snap connection betwen said abstract and whip member.

3. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a cavity therein, an abstract member including a head structure secured to the upper end thereof, operatively connected with said whip and key, a pivot member secured to the lower end of said abstract, said pivot member being formed with a bifurcated projection, a pivot pin in said whip member extending across said cavity, the bifurcations in said projection being adapted to frictionally engage said pivot pin therebetwen to provide a releasable pivotal connection between said whip and abstract members, and said head structure being adapted to fit within a cavity formed in said key, said key having a slot in registry with said cavity for reinovably positioning said head structure in said cavity, the releasable pivotal connection of the abstract member with said whip member and the removable positioning of the abstract member in said key providing a ready dismantling of said abstract from the piano action to facilitate shipment and adjusting of said action.

4. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a groove formed therein, a pivot pin extending across said groove and supported in the walls of said groove, means for connecting said key and whip member including an abstract having a pivot member secured to the lower end thereof, said pivot member having a bifurcated projection of flat section, the bifurcations in said projection being adapted to frictionally engage said pivot pin therebetween to provide a releasable pivotal connection between said whip member and abstract, with the side walls of said groove being in a guiding relation with respect to the side walls of said projection to maintain the abstract in alignment with the key when the abstract is disconnected from the key.

5. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, the combination of a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a groove formed therein, a pivot pin extending across said groove and supported in the walls of said groove, means for connecting said key and whip member including an abstract having a pivot member secured to the lower end thereof, said pivot member having a bifurcated projection with an aperture formed between the bifurcations, said projection being adapted to fit within said groove with said pivot pin passing between said bifurcations for seating in said aperture, said bifurcations being of unequal thickness with the one of lesser thickness springing away from the other bifurcation during the passing of the said pin therebetween to provide a pivotal snap connection between said abstract and whip members, said other bifurcation serving primarily to support said pin during the normal operation of the action.

6. In an action for a low upright piano having a key and including a hammer, a capstan screw secured to said key and having an axial extension formed on the head thereon, a whip member for actuating said hammer, said whip member having a cavity therein, an abstract including a head structure secured to the upper end thereof, operatively connected with said Whip and key, a pivot member secured to the lower end of said abstract, said pivot member being formed with a bifurcated projection, a pivot pin in said whip member extending across said cavity, the bifurcations in said projection being adapted to frictionally engage said pivot pin therebetween to provide a releasable pivotal connection between said whip and abstract members, said head structure having an aperture therein for receiving said capstan screw extension to provide a separable connection between said abstract and key, the releasable pivotal connection of the abstract member with said whip member and the separable connection of the abstract member with said key providing a ready dismantling of said abstract from the piano action to facilitate shipment and adjustment of said action.

7. In. an action for a piano having a key and including a whip member, the combination of means for connecting said key and whip member including an abstract operatively connected at one end to said key, with a foot member at its other end pivotally connected to said whip member, said whip member having a longitudinal groove therein extending in a direction from front to rear of said piano action and adapted to receive said foot member therein, with one of said two members having a portion which is longitudinally slotted, and a pivot pin extending transversely through the other one of said two members, said pin on movement of said foot member rearwardly toward said action and into said groove engaging said slotted portion in a snap connection to pivotally connect said two members and position said foot member in vertical alignment with said key.

8. In a piano action having an abstract operatively connected at one end to a piano key and pivotally connected at its other end to said action, the combination of means for supporting the abstract within the confines of said action when said one end is disconnected from said key, including a movable rail member arranged transversely of said abstract and operatively engageable therewith, and means supporting said rail for movement relative to said action, said rail on movement toward said action pivotally moving said abstract therewith to a position near said action.

9. In an action for a piano having keys, said action including a plurality of substantially upright abstracts, each of said abstracts being operatively connected at one end to a corresponding key, and pivotally connected at its other end to said action, the combination of means for supporting said abstracts in said upright position independently of any connection with said keys including a movable rail member common to all of said abstracts, operatively connectible therewith, and arranged transversely thereof, said rail on disconnection of said abstracts and keys being movable to pivotally move all of said abstracts at one time to said upright position, and means for holding said rail member in its moved position to support all of said abstracts in said upright position.

10. In an action for a low upright piano having a key, said action including a substantially upright abstract operatively connected at one end with said key, and pivotally connected at its other end to said action, with said abstract on disconnection from said key normally falling forwardly away from said action, the combination of means for maintaining said abstract in said upright position independently of any connection with said key, including a pivoted rail member positioned transversely of said abstract and forwardly of the pivotal connection of said other end of said abstract so that said abstract on disconnection from said keys moves into engagement with said rail, and means supporting said rail for pivotal movement relative to said action, said rail on movement toward said action engaging and pivotally moving said abstract into said upright position.

11. In a piano mechanism removably mounted in a piano having a key, said mechanism including a hammer, a whip member, and an abstract pivotally connected at one end to said whip member and operatively connected at its opposite end to said key and normally maintained in a position at said key, with said abstract on disconnection from said key for displacement of the mechanism from the key being free to pivotally fall away from said hammer, the combination of rail means for supporting said abstract in an upright position independently of its connection with said key and adjacent the hammer to permit movement of said mechanism as a unit without said abstract falling away from said hammer, said rail means extending transversely of said abstract, means to permit mounting said rail for movement thereof relative to said whip member and move said abstract therewith, said rail means being normally retained in a position permitting a free up and down movement of said abstract during the normal operation thereof, but movable with the abstract to pivotally move the abstract to said upright position.

12. In a piano having keys with a capstan screw on the end of each, and an action including frame means and a plurality of striking members supported on said frame means, the combination of means for operatively connecting each striking member and corresponding capstan screw on a key including an abstract pivotally secured at one end to a portion of said action and operatively connected at the other end with the capstan screw on the key and adapted to fall away from the remainder of the action at said other end when disconnected from said capstan screw, and rail means common to all of said abstracts extending transversely of the piano at a position below said capstan screw connection at the other end of the abstracts and operatively connected with said abstracts at said position, said rail means permitting normal operation of said abstracts when said abstracts are connected to said capstan screws, and being movable upon disconnection of said abstracts and keys for moving said abstracts pivotally in a direction toward said striking members, acting to support said abstracts to prevent them from falling forwardly and at the same time permit transportation of the entire action as a unit.

13. In a piano having a key and action structure including a hammer, a whip, and supporting means for said hammer and Whip, the combination of an abstract pivotally connected at one end to said whip, having a portion at the other end for operative connection with said key and with said other end being free of said action structure, rail means extending transversely of said abstract below said abstract portion and operatively connected therewith, and means operatively connected at one end to said suporting means and operatively connected at the other end to said rail means supporting said rail means for pivotal movement thereof, with said rail means moving said abstract therewith upon movement of said rail means and disconnection of said abstract and key.

JAMES A. GOULD. 

